PDA?Experienced Support Worker (After?School)

Job summary

PDA?Experienced Support Worker (After?School) – Hammersmith

Location: Hammersmith, London

Hours: After?school support (weekdays)

Start: As soon as possible

Role: 1:1 Support Worker for a child with ASD and a PDA profile

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled, calm, and relationship?led Support Worker to work with a child with Autism and a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. The role involves providing consistent after?school support in the family home and local community.

This position requires someone who understands the unique presentation of PDA and can work flexibly, creatively, and collaboratively with the child and their family.

Essential Requirements

• Strong understanding of PDA and how it impacts communication, anxiety, and daily functioning
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with a PDA profile
• Ability to use a relationship?based, low?demand approach
• Confidence in adapting expectations, offering choices, and reducing perceived pressure
• Warm, patient, and emotionally attuned communication style
• Ability to build trust gradually and respectfully
• Reliability and consistency

Key Responsibilities

• Provide after?school support in the home and community
• Build a trusting, respectful relationship with the child
• Use low?arousal, low?demand strategies to reduce anxiety
• Support emotional regulation and engagement through preferred activities
• Work collaboratively with parents and the wider team
• Promote independence at the child’s pace
• Maintain clear, professional boundaries and safeguarding standards

Ideal Candidate

You will be someone who genuinely enjoys working with neurodivergent children, understands the importance of autonomy and co?regulation, and can think creatively when traditional approaches don’t work. You’ll be confident, grounded, and able to stay calm under pressure.